Walk Trot Gallop Back Pace Slow Gait Rack Running walk Fox Trot Paso Fino Stride Attributes Frame Extension AnimationLOCOMOTION Movement Generation  Movement of the horse is generated from the musculature in the body (torso) not the legs  Forward momentum is generated from the hind end and transferred to the front end  Legs modify the forward energy by characteristics of their swing  However, the force of movement is generated by their body (hindquarters)  Front legs determine direction  Hind legs determine momentum  To complete a step, each leg must perform 4 basic movements or “phases” o Impact – When the leg contacts the ground and absorbs the downward and forward forces of the moving horse o Stance – When the limb is on the ground and supporting weight o Thrust – When the limb ceases backward movement but still bearing weight o Flight – When the limb is moving forward through the air  A stride involves completion of a single step (i.e. all four phases of movement) in all four limbs. A stride can have a suspension period, which is when none of the horse’s legs are in contact with the ground. Stride Full cycle of limb motion. The sequence and precise timing of limb movements within each stride defines the gait used. Stride duration Time required to complete one stride. Stride frequency Number of strides per unit time. Increases linearly with speed in the walk and trot up to the trot-canter transition. Stride length Distance traveling between successive imprints of the same hoof. Swing phase Limb is carried forward through the air Velocity Product of stride length and stride frequency  A gait is a pattern of leg movements used to complete a stride.  Gaits can be symmetrical, where the limb movements of the first half of the stride are repeated with the opposite limbs during the other half of the stride. Examples of symmetrical gaits are the walk, trot, pace and back.  In asymmetrical gaits, the limb patterns on one half of the stride are not repeated on the other half of the stride. Examples are the canter, gallop and fox trot.  Diagonal gaits are gaits in which the limbs on the opposing side move together as a pair or in sequence. Examples – trot, back.  Lateral gaits are giants in which the limbs on the same side move together in pairs or in sequence. Examples – walk, pace  In some asymmetrical gaits, two legs may be paired during a stride while the other legs move independently. Examples – canter, gallop  When two legs are paired in gait, but the other two are not, the legs that move independently are called the leading legs.  The independent foreleg, the last leg to impact before the period of suspension, defines or gives the names to the lead.  Because motion is initiated in the hind end, the lead is determined by the footfall pattern of the hind legs.  Assuming a right lead, a horse can switch the left lead after the suspension period by impacting with the right hind leg.Natural Gaits - Those patterns of footfalls that is inborn in the majority of horses. Walk o Slowest of the gaits o Four separate and distinct beats o The walk is a symmetrical gait with an even cadence of footfalls in a 1-2-3-4 pattern. o Any gait can start out on either the right or hind leg. o Remember, during the impact phase of one foot, one or two other feet can be on the ground. o There is no suspension period to this gait. o At least 2 feet are always on the ground at the same time. Trot o Second slowest of the natural gaits o 2 separate and distinct beats o The trot has an even cadence of footfalls in a 1-2 pattern o There is a suspension period between beats o Diagonal forelegs and hind legs move together Canter, lope o Second fastest of the natural gaits o 3 distinct beats o The canter has an even cadence of footfalls, in a 1-2-3 pattern. o Name of lead determined by unpaired foreleg Right Lead Canter – Sequence of beats Left Lead Canter – Sequence of beats 1. Near hind 1. Off hind 2. Left diagonal consisting of near fore and off hind. 2. Right diagonal consisting of off fore and near hind. 3. Off fore – right lead 3. Near fore – left leadGallop o Fastest of natural gaits o 4 separate beats o Uneven cadence of footfalls, in a 1-2-3-4 pattern (There is along beat between 1&2 and 3&4; & a short beat between 2&3). o The non-lead diagonal legs lift off the ground & swing together. o They hit the ground slightly apart, with the hind leg hitting slightly before the foreleg. o There is a suspension period after the 4th beat o All legs impact independently Right Lead Gallop – Sequence of beats Left Lead Gallop – Sequence of beats 1. Near hind 1. Off hind 2. Off hind 2. Near hind 3. Near fore 3. Off fore 4. Off fore 4. Near fore Back o Slow and only gait performed while moving in reverse o 2 separate beats o Even cadence of footfalls in a 1-2 pattern o The movement is diagonal with paired legs moving together. However the foreleg may be set down slightly before the hind leg. o There is no suspension period. Artificial Gaits – Those patterns of footfall that are not inborn in the majority of horses. Most artificial gaits must be taught to the horse; however, some breeds have been selected for their tendency to perform alternative gaits from birth. Pace o Lateral, symmetrical gait which is normally performed slightly faster than the trot o Has 2 separate and distinct beats o Even cadence of footfalls in a 1-2 pattern o One of the racing gaits for the Standardbred o Lateral foreleg and hind leg move together which creates a side-to-side rocking motion of the body.Slow Gait o Slow gait or stepping pace is a modified pace performed with great animation. o 4 separate and distinct beats o Uneven cadence of footfalls in a 1-2-3-4 pattern o Performed by American Saddlebred horses o High leg action (animation) in front legs and hind legs o Lateral feet leave the ground at the same time o Front legs hesitate for a moment at the peak of their flight allowing them to strike the ground slightly after the lateral hind limb o There is no suspension period o Lateral movement Rack o Modified walk performed at great speed o 4 separate and distinct beats o Even cadence of footfalls in a 1-2-3-4 pattern o Performed by American Saddlebreds and Rocky Mountain horses o Horse only has a single foot on the ground at some moments